Sinn Féin TD, Pearse Doherty, has called on the government to intervene and ensure that the Donegal to Dublin flight service is restored as a matter of urgency.
He was reacting to this morning’s news that all Aer Lingus regional flights operated by Stobart Air have been cancelled with immediate effect after Stobart announced it has ceased operations.
The means all, Aer Lingus operated, Dublin flights to and from Donegal Airport are grounded.
Deputy Doherty has contacted Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan this morning asking the government to engage with regional airports to ensure that another carrier is in place without delay.
“These regional services from Donegal airport and other regional airports provide vital connectivity between our rural communities in the West and South of Ireland and the rest of the world,” he said.
“I look at the role that the Donegal to Dublin route has in my own constituency and it’s not hard to see why our community needs the services that this route provides. The daily flights from Donegal to Dublin not only open up the northwest to tourism, but they also serve cancer patients who have to travel to Dublin for treatment. Many students, workers and businesses depend on the route as well. The 40-minute flight makes that journey much easier than the 4 or 5 hours it takes to travel by road, each way.”
“The northwest is not connected to Dublin or the rest of Ireland by motorway, dual carriageway or rail. For those who live in Donegal and travel to work or study in Dublin, the regional airport makes this possible.
“The news today in relation to Stobart Air’s liquidation is tough for all affected, including staff and it is a worrying time for our regional airports who are depending on these routes.”
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